Hungary collect payback win

Goals in each half from Róbert Feczesin and Dániel Tőzsér earned Hungary a 2-0 victory against Malta in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group C.

Revenge
Feczesin opened the scoring eleven minutes before half-time with a close-range header before Tőzsér doubled the advantage on 76 minutes with an exquisite 25-metre free-kick to ensure Hungary avenged last October's 2-1 defeat in Malta.

Gera chance
Hungary pressed the visitors back in the first 45 minutes and unsettled them from set-plays. Tamás Vasko teed up Zoltán Gera whose overhead kick from 15 metres bounced before brushing the post. Balázs Dzsudzsák's inswinging free-kick from the left then found Gera, but the captain was unable to divert it goalwards.

Feczesin opener
Peter Várhidi's men eventually went ahead on 34 minutes from another corner, this time from the right. The Malta defence failed to clear and the ball fell for Dzsudzsák who crossed for Feczesin to touch it beyond Justin Haber in Malta's goal. Hungary continued to dominate after the restart. Attila Filkor collected possession on the right of the area 90 seconds into the second half, but hesitated when one-on-one with Haber and the goalkeeper smothered the ball. Gera's curling shot was saved soon after.

Tőzsér strike
Hungarian persistence finally paid off when they made the game safe with 13 minutes remaining: Tőzsér's left-foot free-kick flying in off the right-hand post. Malta had opportunities themselves from set-pieces but their delivery lacked the accuracy of their opponents' and Hungary goalkeeper Márton Fülöp was left without a meaningful save to make. The win leaves Hungary fifth in the section on 12 points from ten matches, with Malta on five. Hungary next travel to Moldova on 17 November; Malta host Moldova on Wednesday.